Keith v. Higman Marine Services, Inc.

Filing 45

ORDER DISMISSING this action W/PREJUDICE for willful failure to comply w/the court's orders & to prosecute this action as set out. Dft's 38 MOTION to Compel is deemed to be MOOT. However, the court will consider Dft's 38 MOTION f or Attorney Fees & Expenses. If Dft intends to pursue its motion, an affidavit & any supporting documents must be filed NLT 2/23/2012. Otherwise, the motion will be deemed moot as of 2/23/12 w/o further order from the court. Signed by Judge Callie V. S. Granade on 2/2/12. (copy mailed to Plf on 2/3/12) (tot)

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA
SOUTHERN DIVISION
HENRY W. KEITH,

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Plaintiff,
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vs.
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HIGMAN BARGE LINES, INC.,
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formerly Maryland Marine Services, )
Inc.,
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Defendant.
)

CIVIL ACTION NO. 11-0016-CG-M

ORDER
The plaintiff having failed to respond to this court’s order dated January 3,
2012 (Doc. 41) and to comply with the Rule 16(b) Scheduling Order issued on July
12, 2011 (Doc. 18), and upon consideration of the alternatives that are available to
the court, it is ORDERED that this action be DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE
pursuant to Rule 41(b) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for plaintiff’s willful
failure to comply with the court=s orders and to prosecute this action. See Link v.
Wabash R. R., 370 U.S. 626, 630, 82 S.Ct. 1836, 8 L.Ed.2d 734 (1962) (interpreting
Rule 41(b) not to restrict the court=s inherent authority to dismiss sua sponte an
action for lack of prosecution).
In light of the court’s dismissal if this action, the defendant’s motion to
compel (Doc. 38) is hereby deemed to be MOOT; however, the court will consider
defendant’s motion for an award of reasonable attorney’s fees and expenses
contained in the motion to compel in relation to its efforts to obtain discovery and
comply with the Rule 16(b) Scheduling Order. If the defendant intends to pursue it

motion for attorney’s fees and expenses, an affidavit and any supporting documents
must be filed no later than February 23, 2012; otherwise, the motion will be
deemed to be moot as of February 23, 2012 without further order from the court.
DONE and ORDERED this 2nd day of February, 2012.
/s/ Callie V. S. Granade
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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